Hanger file device

ABSTRACT

Hanger filling device, particularly for loose leaf post binder assemblies, having an elongated flat strip for mounting together with the contents of a binder and extension from the back of the bound edges thereof. An enlarged outer marginal portion of the strip, preferably formed as a cylindrical beaded edge, is slidably and releasably engageable in a slotted tubular holding passage of a hanger strip member provided with end edge hanger extensions engageable to suspend the device on the rail members of a hanger file unit or the like.

United States Patent Kirkorian [54] HANGER FILE DEVICE [72] Inventor: Albert P. Kirkorian, Longmeadow,

Mass.

[73] Assignee: National Bank Book Company, Inc.,

' l-lalyke, Mass.

221 Filed: Nov. 27, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 93,216

52 us. or ..312/1s3, 312/1s4 511 1m. (:1 ..A47b 63/00, B42fl7/00, B42fl5/00 581 Field ofSearch ..312/183, 184

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,298,374 1/1967 Grundell ..3l2/l84 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,371,271 7/1964 France. 3 1 2/1s4 [151 3,684,340 1 Aug. 15, 1972 1,093,130 5/1955 France.... ..3l2/184 286,132 10/1952 Switzerland ..3l2/l84 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam AttomeyChapin, Neal and Dempsey [57] ABSTRACT Hanger filling device, particularly for loose leaf post binder assemblies, having an elongated flat strip for mounting together with the contents of a binder and extension from the back of the bound edges thereof. An enlarged outer marginal portion of the strip,

- preferably formed as a cylindrical beaded edge, is

slidably and releasably engageable in a slotted tubular holding passage of a hanger strip member provided with end edge hanger extensions engageable to suspend the device on the rail members of a hanger tile unit or the like.

HANGER FILE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to hanger-type filing equipment and devices for use with bound files of loose sheets such as post-binder file assemblies and the like. It has particular application to devices for relatively bulky binder assemblies designed to hold large size record sheets such as the conventional print out sheets of data processing machinery. In most businesses such bound volumes are commonly kept available for relatively short term periods of time for daily office reference and referral purposes, after which the volumes are then transferred to a place of temporary or semi-permanent storage for later permanent disposal.

The bulky characterof large capacity units (computer print-out sheets commonly being of various sizes up to 11 X 17 inches and bound packs of the same on the order of 2 or 3 inches thick) creates a need for an efficient and orderly desk-top or work-table arrangement by which any one of a plurality of the units can be readily referred to and then temporarily placed aside to be conveniently available for subsequent referral along with other units currently being used. It is also desirable to provide for ease in moving the units to and from file cabinet enclosures as for overnight storage purposes.

Prior equipment designed to solve problems of conveniently maintaining binder units within easy reach for desk-top use and the like have utilized devices by which the individual units can be vertically suspended, in much the same manner as in hanger type file folder cabinet drawers and the like. Insofar as is known such equipment generally is of two types. In one type hanger hook members permanently extend from the end edges of the bound margin of a binder unit, while the other includes movable hanger hooks incorporated with the binding means and slidable between a concealed and extended position. The first type in many instances is objectionable since the hanger extensions protrude permanently and at times hinder normal handling. Also, the extensions may tend to scratch a desk or table work surface, or may catch on other objects and interfere with an efficient use. The second type with retractible hanger pieces necessitates a somewhat tedious manipulation of parts whenever the unit is taken out of, or being placed back into, its hanging position. The primary object of the present invention is to provide a hanger assembly overcoming such objectionable features, and as will be seen enabling a flexibility of use thereof in connection with several types of office equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention embraces a binder filing device comprising a plate-like strip element for mounting in a bound assembly of sheets and extending from the back thereof along the bound edges of the record sheets or other contents, and a separable hanger or suspension element. Interfitting longitudinal edge portions of these two elements such as a beaded edge and tubular slotted holding passage, are formed for a separable sliding engagement. When joined the elements preferably provide limited hinging action. The loose sliding fit not only makes it easier to join and separate the elements when the hanger element is suspended on a rack but is also advantageous in connection with the manipulation of the binders on a tilting desk top unit designed to hold several large binders together and enable easier access to any one of them for reference purposes. The latter unit disclosed in part in the present application is sub ject of co-pending application Ser. No. 91,981 filed Nov. 23, I970 for Tilting Rack For Bender Files.

A single binder fitted with the binder element of this invention may be handled with great ease and without the objectionable features of the prior devices notedabove. Binders may be transferred to and from any one of several store units provided with like hanger elements and with a minimum of manipulative effort. In several housing units the sliding action provided for mounting with a hanger element enables the binder to be set intoor taken out of a hanger file by a horizontal sliding action rather than by vertical lifting'movement.

The above and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a binder element and a hanger element of a hanger file device embodying the invention, the parts being separated;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a loose leaf post binder assembly in which the binder element of FIG. 1 is mounted, the binder and hanger elements being partially joined together;

FIG. 3 is an end edge view of the assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a desk top stand in which several binders equipped with hanger assemblies of the present invention are mounted and illustrating one example of the use thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tilting rack on which binders equipped with hanger devices of the present invention are assembled and showing another example of the use thereof.

The hanger device shown by the drawings comprises two members, a binder element 2 and a hanger element 4, each with longitudinal edge portions formed to connect the elements together by sliding engagement.

Binder element 2 is formed as an elongated plate-like strip 6 having at its inner longitudinal edge perforations or holes 8. Holes 8 are provided to register with marginal perforations at the edges of sheets to be bound in a post binder type of loose leaf unit. Sheet perforations at 10 are shown in the post binder assembly of FIG. 2 and the outermost holes 8 register with perforations 10 at the upper corners of the sheets. Conventional flexible binding posts 12 may thus be passed through the registered holes at the corners, or along the binding margin of the sheets, and be clamped with the sheets between binding strips 14 of covers 16, of the unit. As will be readily appreciated a plurality of spaced holes 8 are formed in the strip for mounting in various standard size binder units. As will be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 the strip 6 may be inserted as desired along bound back of a binder preferably in a central position between the covers.

Along its outer marginal edge, and in spaced relation to a binder back in which it is assembled, the strip is provided with a head' 18 of enlarged cross sectional outline, preferably being formed as a cylindrical section with a hollow core 20. The strip 6 furthermore is preferably disposed in a diametrical plane of the cylinder bead 18.

Hanger element 4 along its inner portion is. formed with a tubular passage 22 having a longitudinal lower slot at 24. The tubular edge 20 of element 2 thus may be slidably received in the passage with the strip portion 6 extending through the slot 24.

Hanger element 4 in cross sectional outline (see FIG. 3) is generally triangular in form, the sides convergently extending from the tubular portion. The angular sides are joined by a reenforcing tubular portion at 26. In the opposite ends of the portion 26 are fitted hanger suspending rods 28. Rods 28 may be press fitted in the end faces of portion 26 and are preferably provided with headed ends 30. The elements 2 and 4 are preferably cut lengths of extruded plastic material and are substantially coextensive in length. Rods 28 project outwardly at each end of the assembled elements when the latter are fully joined, and are thus suitably joined for suspending a binder file in a conventional type of hanger file cabinet or file drawer.

The assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates the mounting of strip 6 at the binding margin of a file binder as above outlined. Indicated by FIG. 2 is the releasable sliding engagement of elements 2 and 4 by a relative sliding movement of the bead 18 in tubular passage 22. Passage 22 is preferably cylindrical as shown with a passage diameter substantially larger than the bead diameter. It will be noted slot 16 is of a width on the order of twice the thickness of the strip 6. With the resulting loose fit of the elements as will be appreciated particularly from the dotted line indications of FIG. 3, a limited degree of angular swinging movement is permitted between elements as well as affording easy entrance of the bead 18 in the channeled holding means of the hanger element.

In FIG. 4 a desk or table top type of stand or rack is illustrated in which a plurality of binders are adapted for hanging after the fashion of a conventional hanger tile. The rods 28 at each end of the hanger elements rest on suspension rails 32 at opposite sidesof the stand. The stand as shown comprises an open rectangular framework of side bars 34 supported by corner legs 36. The body of each hanger element 4 is suspended on the rails 32 and the lower slotted holding channel passage 22 is accessible below the side frame pieces 34 for inserting and removing the bead portion 18 of the binder elements 2. Thus, as indicated in FIG. 4 an individual binder may be removed for reference to the contents thereof and/or replacement on the rack without need for awkward vertical lifting movement or other'undue manipulation. The rack stand shown is for work-table or desk-top temporary binder storage purposes, the binders thus being within the users easy reach for reference purposesn'lhe hanger elements 4 may thus remain in place if a particular binder is in use or'when it is no longer needed and is transferred to another storage file so that another unit equipped with a binder element may replace it on the rack. Likewise the binders may be removed for overnight storage in a locked file cabinet without removal of the hanger elements. g

In FIG. another example of the use of the hanger assemblies of this invention is illustrated. A tilting rack is there shown having a platform 40 on which a plurality of binders may be mounted for a rocking action on angle legs 42 and 44 as more specifically disclosed in the aforesaid co-pending application.

Upraised edges at opposite sides are formed with flanged inwardly facing channels indicated at 46 and 48, thus providing tracks receiving the hanger extension rods with heads 30. The rods are mounted in the channels for sliding and pivotal movement between the stops 50 at the ends thereof. A friction pad indicated at 52 overlies the platform between the channeled sides for the length of the platform and inhibits any free unintentional sliding and shifting movement of a hanger element on the platform. As seen in FIG. 5 the backs of the binders are randomly disposed in various positions and the loose hinging action between elements 2 and 4 enables these elements to assume various and sundry relationships such as those shown by FIG. 5. Thus the binder units may be handled more easily for access to any one of the binders and its contents. As will be appreciated the platform may be rocked on a desk top for turning over one or more of the units and examining record sheets in the viewing position most convenient for the user.

What is claimed is:

l. Hanger filing device for post binder file assemblies and the like comprising interfitting binder and hanger elements, freely engageable and separable by relative endwise movement, said elements when engaged being adapted for hanger storage and mounting purposes, and when disengaged allowing binder file use unencumbered by said hanger element, I said binder element being in the form of an elongated flat strip having a. an inner marginal binding edge portion with longitudinally spaced perforations for inserting and securing said element between bound sheets at the back of a file assembly,

L a longitudinal central portion for extending outwardly along the back of the file assembly, and

. a suspension portion of enlarged cross secton lying along the outer longitudinal marginal edge of the strip in parallel spaced relation to the inner marginal binding portion,

said hanger element being of substantially the same length as said binder element and having adjacent an inner edge thereof an open-ended tubular throughpassage with a slotted wall portion extending centrally along said inner edge,

said passage and slotted portion being of substantially greater cross sectional dimensions respectively than said enlarged outer and central sections of the binder element and thereby forming channeled suspension means for slidably receiving said enlarged outer and central sections of the binder element and thereby forming channeled suspension means for slidably receiving said enlarged marginal edge of the strip and limited pivotal hinging movement therein, and said hanger element having an outer edge portion in spaced parallel relation to said through passage and at each end of said outer portion being provided with endwise extensions lying in longitudinally offset relation to the open ends of said tubular passage for free access to the latter when said extensions are engaged with spaced support means.

larged cylindrical and central portions of the binder element.

3. Hanger file device as in claim 2, in which,

said endwise extensions of said hanger element are headed rod members and said binder element and body of the hanger element are of extruded plastic material.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 684:, 340 Dated August 15, 1972 InventoflS) ALBERT P. KRIKORIAN It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading correct the Inventor's name as follows:

ALBERT P. KRIKORIAN In the assignment correct the Assignees address to read as follows:

Holyoke, Mass.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of April 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.PLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of.Patents 'RM PO-105O (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I959 0-365-31 

1. Hanger filing device for post binder file assemblies and the like comprising interfitting binder and hanger elements, freely engageable and separable by relative endwise movement, said elements when engaged being adapted for hanger storage and mounting purposes, and when disengaged allowing binder file use unencumbered by said hanger element, said binder element being in the form of an elongated flat strip having a. an inner marginal binding edge portion with longitudinally spaced perforations for inserting and securing said element between bound sheets at the back of a file assembly, b. a longitudinal central portion for extending outwardly along the back of the file assembly, and c. a suspension portion of enlarged cross secton lying along the outer longitudinal marginal edge of the strip in parallel spaced relation to the inner marginal binding portion, said hanger element being of substantially the same length as said binder element and having adjacent an inner edge thereof an open-ended tubular through-passage with a slotted wall portion extending centrally along said inner edge, said passage and slotted portion being of substantially greater cross sectional dimensions respectively than said enlarged outer and central sections of the binder element and thereby forming channeled suspension means for slidably receiving said enlarged outer and central sections of the binder element and thereby forming channeled suspension means for slidably receiving said enlarged marginal edge of the strip and limited pivotal hinging movement therein, and said hanger element having an outer edge portion in spaced parallel relation to said through passage and at each end of said outer portion being provided with endwise extensions lying in longitudinally offset relation to the open ends of said tubular passage for free access to the latter when said extensions are engaged with spaced support means.
 2. Hanger file device as in claim 1, in which, said outer enlarged portion of the binder element is in the form of a cylindrically beaded edge and the central and inner binding portions lie in a diametrical plane of said cylindrical portion, and the cross sectional dimensions of said through passage and slot of the hanger element are respectively on the order of twice the cross sectional dimensions of said enlarged cylindrical and central portions of the binder element.
 3. Hanger file device as in claim 2, in which, said endwise extensions of said hanger element are headed rod members and said binder element and body of the hanger element are of extruded plastic material. 